Jalen Brunson gives Knicks lead vs. Spurs with under a minute left, scores 45 points in potential closeout Game 5 [VIDEO]
The Knicks captain broke an 88-88 tie with a driving basket as New York seeks its first championship since 1973
Jalen Brunson scored his 45th point of the night to give the New York Knicks a 90-88 lead over the San Antonio Spurs with under a minute remaining in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The 8-second clip, posted by the official NBA account on X, shows Brunson driving to the rim through contact and putting the ball in the basket.
The score was tied at 88. The Knicks lead the series 3-1. A win would give New York its first championship since 1973.
The play occurred at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The on-screen scoreboard showed NY 88 – SA 88 with 1 minute and 9 seconds remaining. After the basket, the scoreboard updated to NY 90 – SA 88 with approximately 1 minute and 6 seconds left.
Brunson Has Been the Engine of the Knicks’ Offense
Brunson entered Game 5 averaging 30 points in Game 1, 20 in Game 2, 32 in Game 3, and 36 in Game 4. His 45-point performance in Game 5 set a franchise record for a Knicks player in an NBA Finals game.
He has been the primary ball-handler and scorer throughout the series. His ability to get to the rim, draw fouls, and make clutch shots has defined New York’s offense.
In the final minute of Game 5, with the title within reach, he delivered again.
The clip shows him attacking the basket amid defensive pressure from multiple Spurs players. He finishes through contact. The ball goes in. The lead changes.
The Knicks did not look back.
Knicks Won The Championship
The Knicks have not won a championship since 1973. They have been in the Finals twice since then — in 1994 and 1999 — and lost both times.
This year’s team has shown resilience throughout the playoffs. They came back from a 29-point deficit in Game 4. Prior to this, they won Games 1 and 2 on the road. They split the next two games in New York City.
Now they are one win away. UPDATE: As of press time, the Knicks are the champions.
Brunson’s 45-point night was the latest in a series of clutch performances. OG Anunoby tipped in the game-winner in Game 4. Josh Hart has provided rebounding and defense. Karl-Anthony Towns has been solid.
But Brunson has been the constant. As of press time, the Knicks powered through to win the title.
The Spurs Have Struggled to Close Games
San Antonio led by as many as 9 points in the fourth quarter of Game 5. They could not hold the lead.
This has been a pattern throughout the series. In Game 4, they led by 29 points and lost in historic fashion. Previously, in Game 2, they lost by 1 point. In Game 5, they led late and lost again.
Victor Wembanyama has been dominant at times. De’Aaron Fox has had strong moments. Dylan Harper has dominated.
But the Spurs have not been able to execute in the final minutes. Brunson has. Now, the Spurs have lost the title in Game 5 at home.
One X user wrote: “Spurs one of the unclutches/worst 4th quarter teams I’ve ever seen in the finals.” Another posted: “built a nine-point 4th-quarter lead and couldn’t finish it. Brunson (45) wouldn’t let them.”
X Reacts to the Knicks’ Championship Win
The NBA’s post received hundreds of likes, reposts, and replies within minutes. Knicks fans celebrated. Spurs fans expressed frustration.
One user wrote: “The New York Knicks are the NBA Champions!” Another posted: “Knicks in 5.” A third commented: “Brunson with 45 in the 4th. Our mvp. Best pg currently.”
Some users focused on the Spurs’ late-game execution. “Spurs just falling apart. Can’t make shots. Can’t get def rebound. Wow,” one user wrote. Another posted: “Fox needs to be investigated.”
A few users acknowledged Brunson’s performance without taking sides. “Que manera de remontar partidos son los Knicks de el hombre clutch, Jalen Brunson,” one user wrote. Another posted: “Rooting for the Spurs but I respect tf outta this Knicks team.”
The comments reflected the stakes of a potential closeout game. The Knicks were one win away. The Spurs were fighting to stay alive.
The Game Was Not Over
The clip shows the lead change with under a minute left. The game was not over. The Knicks still had to secure the victory.
After the clip indicate the Knicks extended the lead to 92-88 with approximately 20 seconds remaining. The Spurs could not recover.
The final buzzer sounded. The Knicks won. The series was 3-1. However, the Knicks went on to win Game 5. The Knicks won the championship.
Game 5 was the closeout game. The Knicks are champions.
The clip captured the moment they took the lead for good. It was not the game-winner. It was the turning point.
Brunson’s Legacy Is Secure
Jalen Brunson was not a lottery pick, drafted 33rd overall in 2018. His trajectory was not supposed to include him being a Finals MVP. He was not supposed to score 45 points in a championship-clinching game.
None of those factors stopped Brunson from doing those things.
Brunson led the Knicks to their first title in 53 years. He did this by outplaying every point guard he faced. Consistently, he was the best player on the floor. This is saying a lot, seeing how Brunson had to face off against Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper for five straight games.
Additionally, during the 2026 playoffs, Brunson had to compete against CJ McCollum, Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Donovan Mitchell just to get here. In the Finals, Brunson did not disappoint, delivering a classic series and closing with a classic performance.
The clip of him giving New York the lead with under a minute left will be replayed for decades. It will be shown alongside Walt Frazier’s 36-point Game 7 in 1970. It will be part of Knicks lore.
He is no longer just a good point guard. He is a champion.